Well, it’s time to start closing the book on 2016 (except for my awards, of course), which means it’s time to anoint my top 10 films of the year!

I’m doing the list a little differently this time. I’m not just slapping down my top 10 ranked films in order and calling it good. Instead, I’m giving you my 10 favorite (or most-admired, or most-cherished, or whatever you like) films, in alphabetical order, and then 10 more from across my top 25 ranked films, also in alphabetical order, to give you an idea not just of what was the best, but what I liked the most.

Also note that this list is not necessarily predictive of my Best Picture lineup, or of any of my awards categories. It should be taken as a reflection purely of taste.

I’ve used the other poster a bunch of times, time to give this one a chance.

Even more than taking down overrated films, I relish the ability to promote underrated ones. So many fine films languish unseen, and for so many reasons. And I consider it my responsibility as a cinephile to bring as many of these films to the light as I can.

In truth, 2016 was not as rich a year for underrated films as the past few, but there are still certainly enough to put together a respectable list, which I present to you without further ado.